August 6, 2013 — The Independent Music Awards (The IMAs) and its parent Music Resource Group (MRG) today announced the results of The IMAs Vox Pop poll, the fan-determined portion of the prestigious international program for independent bands and releases.

Music fans from around the world voted online for their favorite self-released and independent label artists culled from the 400 IMA Nominees announced in April. Ben Kweller, Willie Nile, Emma-Lee, The Wiyos, Rozina Patkai, THEREMYN_4 and Suzanna Choffel are among the eclectic group of fan favorites chosen in more than 80 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories.

More than 40 percent of the “people’s voice” winners named today differed from those named in June by The IMA’s artist and industry judging panel that included Tom Waits, Meshell Ndegeocello, Pete Wentz, Suzanne Vega, Ziggy Marley,
G. Love, Anthony DeCurtis (Rolling Stone), Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour), and Colleen Fischer (Austin City Limits Live) among many other artists and talent buyers, music journalists, film & tv music supervisors and industry decision makers.

The diverse mix of established artists & rising stars named as 12th IMA Vox Pop winners hail from 14 countries on 4 continents.

“The IMAs roster of Winners and Nominees are a microcosm of the global independent music scene,” said Martin Folkman, Executive Director of The Independent Music Awards.

“The program’s international diversity highlights the fact that exceptional music doesn’t need a passport or major label publicity machine to win fans: just access and a level playing field. Artists earning top honors in this year’s program include self-released and fan-funded projects, as well as indie label and former major label acts. No matter what their country of origin or style of music, IMA artists are united in their pursuit of artistic excellence and originality,” Folkman said.

Included in the list of IMA fan favorites named today is music veteran Willie Nile whose fan-funded album yielded two Vox Pop Wins (Social Action Song and Rock/Hard Rock Album). The Alt. Country band, The Wiyos also earned top honors with their fan-funded project Twist (Concept Album) a musical collage loosely based on The Wizard of Oz.

Austin rocker Ben Kweller (Rock/Hard Rock Song winner) has been impressing fans & industry for more than a decade. Kweller has toured with music icons, inspired a cult following and earned a top 40 hit in the UK before turning 20.

With a smokey brand of indie-pop, Suzanna Choffel, another Austin native, seduced both fans and industry listeners, earning Vox Pop honors for her Folk Singer/Songwriter song “Golden Fires.”

Though never formally trained, Emma-Lee from Ontario, Canada has a vocal style that’s been compared to k.d. lang, Norah Jones and Feist. Her debut album, Never Just a Dream, released on Bumstead Records, won best Love Song in The 9th IMAs. Now, Lee’s 2nd album, Backseat Heroine, a winning mix of pop, country, rock and soul, and featuring collaborations with Nicole Atkins, Luke Doucet and Marc Rogers, received a total of 2 wins in The 12th IMA Vox Pop poll (Adult Contemporary Album, Short form Music Video).

The classically trained, young Hungarian pianist and singer, Rozina Patkai (named Vox Pop Jazz Song winner) found her true voice as a Jazz artist. For the past 3 years she has been thrilling fans with her bossa nova infused compositions, earning honors at numerous competitions, Jazz and Fringe festivals throughout Europe.

Regarded as as one of the Latin America’s most exciting bands, THEREMYN_4 (Vox Pop Dance/electronica Album winner) delivers a cutting-edge synthesis of musical styles. The band’s 7th release Fiction Beats – a melange of acid house, electro, techno & jazz, downloads of beats, sequences, and experimental textures – has earned the band their first IMA nomination & win.

“The Independent Music Awards celebrate artists the world over who follow their own muse and the true music fans who support them,” said Folkman. “The Vox Pop award is one of the many ways The IMAs motivates fans to discover and support an incredible roster of talent that can get lost among the noise. All IMA honorees receive marketing and sales support. Vox Pop Winners have the added satisfaction of inspiring fans to act on their behalf.”

ARTISTRY HAS ITS AWARDS
Now in its 13th year, The Independent Music Awards is a prestigious international program that connects top ranked artists to new audiences and revenue opportunities. The IMAs yearlong promotions distribution and performance opportunities place winners and nominees in front of millions of Fans, Programmers, Talent Buyers, Film, TV & Gaming Music Supervisors, Media and other gatekeepers.